Chapter 88 : Olivia
Chapter 88: Olivia
The letter had been sent in the morning, and it was not until near dusk that Corleon received a reply.
Such a long communication delay made Corleon somewhat uncomfortable.
But this was also the inevitable mode of communication in this era.
All message delivery relied on the legs of men.
However, the one delivering letters to both parties was quite happy to run.
After all, one trip earned a silver coin, and whether it was the Grand Cathedral or a small chapel, there would always be Sacrament.
For the messenger, this was extremely worthwhile.
Opening the letter, Nyx informed him that communication with the territory of Marquis Demitri had been severed since the time the lord had conscripted troops.
Now, the intelligence from the Principality of Corlay was all gathered from the Rat Path, and communication with the villages under Lundex’s domain had been lost even earlier.
However, Nyx also told Corleon that thanks to his tip, the Knights suspected that the Werewolves’ target might be the territory of Marquis Demitri.
After all, the marquisate was the region directly adjacent to the Northwind Mountains.
He further stated that if this was indeed the case, it would be a good thing for the territory of York.
Of course, Knight Wolf had already sent people to investigate the situation in both the marquisate and Lundex’s domain, and currently, the Rat Path had no way of obtaining information from the marquisate.
If those Werewolves were truly aiming for the marquisate, Knight Wolf was prepared to personally lead a team westward to quickly quell the chaos over there.
Putting away the letter, Corleon could understand what Nyx meant.
In this era, to the people of the territory of York, their lord was their ruler. Other higher lords, even the Grand Duke, had nothing to do with them.
It was precisely because of this that, if the Werewolves really were attacking the marquisate, the people of York would completely adopt a spectator’s mindset.
After all, the marquisate was unlike the Three Western Baronies, which paid annual taxes to the territory of York, and the affairs over there were also tied to Secrecy.
Corleon could only let out a sigh.
Putting the letter away, he did not send a reply to Nyx this time, which left the messenger slightly disappointed.
He called for George.
Before the messenger had brought back Nyx’s reply, they had already returned to the Church.
George and the others had given all the food from the manor to Zezel, leaving only half a day’s rations. By the time they returned, they were starving.
"Bishop." George lowered his head slightly and saluted.
"Originally, I didn’t know how to tell you this," Corleon said.
"But, since you’ve already experienced the uprising of those commoners, I think I can speak directly to you now."
George froze for a moment, a bad premonition rising in his chest.
"After you left, the people of the Daniels Family burned down the small chapel."
George looked dazed, then anger surged.
"How dare they destroy the Lord’s Throne!" George said angrily.
"Do they not fear the wrath of the Lord?"
"There were still so many Believers there."
Corleon merely looked at George in silence.
Gradually, George understood something. He fell silent, and the anger on his face vanished.
"I think perhaps becoming a Temple Warrior would suit you better," Corleon said.
"As for the matter of preaching at the small chapel, once there is a new Priest, I will make arrangements."
George moved his lips and finally said,"I shall follow your arrangements."
Corleon patted George on the shoulder.
"Go rest well tonight. Starting tomorrow, you’ll need to lead a team to purify the Werewolves hiding in the territory of York."
Corleon returned to his study, leaving George alone kneeling beneath the cross in the main hall of the Church.
The next day, having donned new equipment, George, newly appointed as Captain of the Temple Warriors, departed with the Temple Warriors assigned to his squad.
They would roam the territory of York, clearing out the Werewolves.
"He is a noble Knight," came a voice tinged with youth beside Corleon as he watched George and the others leave.
A jolt struck his heart, and his gaze shifted over.
It was a little girl.
Brilliant golden short hair and ruby-like eyes identical to Cicero’s. Her petite body was wrapped in heavy armor, creating an odd contrast.
"Olivia greets you." The little girl Olivia spoke with utmost seriousness, like a Knight observing strict etiquette.
Only, this Knight was clearly a bit too young.
"......"
Corleon silently glanced at her.
He looked toward the Monastery not far away.
It was already halfway constructed, with Temple Warriors and Monks having moved in.
"Olivia, is it? Who sent you here?"Corleon asked.
"Aivas sent me. He said that once I arrived here, I should treat you as my father,"Olivia said,
Her face calm, maintaining a serious expression.
"Then do you know where your father is?"
"I have no father. I only have a mother."
Her voice was calm, as if stating a simple fact.
Corleon felt a bit of a headache.
She seemed like a very sensible child.
But perhaps overly so—more excessively than even Agamemnon.
Were they raising this girl as a Knight from the moment she was born?
"I made a promise to someone, that I would serve as your godfather, treat you as my own child, raise and teach you,"Corleon said.
"Yes, father." Olivia knelt on one knee, like a Knight pledging fealty to a Lord.
Corleon fell silent for a moment before speaking.
".—-Just now, I wasn’t sure what I needed to teach you, but now, I think you need to experience the most important lesson."
"Please give your order."
"..—First, stand up, and from now on, do not act like a Knight."
"Did you bring everyday clothes with you?" Corleon asked.
"Yes, I did."
"Then for now, remove your armor and change into your daily clothes." Saying this, Corleon was about to lead Olivia into the Church.
However, before he could say another word, he saw Olivia’s armor dissolve into particles of light, revealing plain white clothing underneath.
Yet the texture visible to the naked eye made it clear that the seemingly plain clothing was made from extremely precious materials.
And that vanishing armor reminded Corleon of the one who had stolen the power of the Lord of Dominion.
"A miraculous armor. But don’t do that in front of others again,"Corleon said.
"Yes!"
Shaking his head, he said,"Follow me."
"Yes!"
Corleon brought Olivia to the Monastery.
"Cicero!" Corleon called out.
Soon, Cicero, covered in mud and dressed in cheap linen clothing, ran over.
"Bishop, you were looking for me?"he asked, then noticed Olivia standing beside Corleon.
"What a lovely little girl. Is she the child of one of the Believers?"
Corleon carefully observed the two of them.
Cicero’s eyes were filled only with curiosity, while Olivia’s face remained stern.
"She is Olivia, my goddaughter. From now on, she will be living here, so I’d like you to arrange a room for her, and introduce her to Ando and the others."
"Oh, I see,"Cicero suddenly understood, becoming even more affectionate toward Olivia.
"The Monastery is partly completed, and there are still rooms available. As for introducing her to Ando and the others, leave that to me."